Page 205 of Wisteria and Cloves
I nestled deeper into the nest, surrounded by the warmth of my four alphas. Their scents had changed, blending with minein a way that spoke of permanent bonds. The marks on my neck throbbed pleasantly, a constant reminder of what we'd just shared.
"Sleep, sweetheart," Julian murmured, his hand finding mine and squeezing gently. "We'll be here when you wake up."
Christopher pulled a soft blanket over us, his movements careful not to disturb the peaceful cocoon we'd created. "Always," he added, his voice carrying a promise that resonated through our bond.
Miles shifted closer, his arm draping protectively across my waist. "No more running, no more hiding. You're ours now."
"And you're mine," I whispered back, feeling the truth of it settle deep in my bones. The bonds pulsed with agreement and as I fell asleep, I knew I was home…and that no one could take me away from them.
I was truly happy.
Epilogue
Lilianna
Three Months later
I hummed as I dipped the paintbrush into water before picking a new color. I was sitting with Lydia, having one of our weekly get-togethers. After my violin practice, I come to her shop to spend time with her. She was teaching me how to enjoy painting, I wasn’t all that good, but it was fun.
"You're getting better," Lydia commented, her own brush making confident strokes across her canvas. "Your technique has improved since last week."
I laughed, examining my mediocre landscape attempt. "That's generous of you. This tree looks more like a green blob with branches."
"Art isn't about perfection," Lydia reminded me, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "It's about expression. And I can see your joy in those brushstrokes." I smiled, feeling the warm pulse of the four bonds humming contentedly in my system. "Speaking of joy," Lydia said, setting down her brush and reaching for her tea, ”You're practically glowing. The mating bonds look good on you."
I touched my neck unconsciously, where the four marks had healed into permanent silver scars. They were beautiful, each one slightly different but perfectly aligned, creating a collar of possession that I wore with pride.
"I feel... settled," I admitted, adding another brushstroke to my painting. "Like I finally know who I am and where I belong."
Lydia's expression softened. "That's what good alphas do. They don't diminish you—they help you become more yourself."
I nodded, thinking of how much had changed since that day three months ago. The media attention had eventually died down, especially after several other high-profile scandals diverted public interest. My mother had indeed sought "treatment," though I suspected it was more about avoiding legal consequences than genuine mental health care. Karen had faced charges for her breach of confidentiality and lost her professional certifications. My father had quietly settled several lawsuits to avoid further public scrutiny.
"Have you heard from them at all?" Lydia asked gently, as if reading my thoughts.
I shook my head, dipping my brush in blue paint. "No, and I don't want to. My father sent one letter through the lawyers, but Nicolaus handled it. Something about wanting to 'reconcile' nowthat I'm 'properly mated.'" I couldn't keep the bitterness from my voice.
"Too little, too late," Lydia said firmly. "You don't owe them anything."
"I know. It's just..." I paused, searching for the right words. "Sometimes I wonder if I should feel guilty for cutting them off completely. But then I remember what my life was like before, and I know I made the right choice. Some relationships aren't meant to be saved."
Lydia reached across the table, squeezing my hand. "That's wisdom, not cruelty. You've grown so much, Lilianna." I smiled, feeling the truth of her words."How are the heat preparations going?" changing the subject as she returned to her painting.
I felt heat rise to my cheeks. After months of careful medical treatment with Dr. Chen, my body was finally beginning to normalize. My first natural heat in years was expected within the next two weeks.
"Good," I said, focusing intently on my canvas. "Dr. Chen says everything looks normal. My hormone levels are stabilizing, and the alphas have been... preparing the house."
Lydia grinned knowingly. "I bet they have. Four alphas getting ready for their mate's first heat? They're probably driving themselves crazy with preparations."
"You have no idea," I laughed, remembering how I'd found Julian reorganizing the linen closet for the third time yesterday, muttering about having enough soft blankets. "Christopher’s been meal prepping for weeks, Miles has been researching optimal room temperature and humidity levels, and Nicolaus has created detailed schedules for everything."
"And Julian?" Lydia asked, curiosity evident in her voice.
"Julian's been trying to convince the others that we need to soundproof the entire house," I said, my cheeks burning. "He'sworried about the stray press that might come to the house, like they do every so often and… hearing things they shouldn’t."
Lydia burst out laughing. "Oh, that's precious. He's worried about your privacy even in heat. That's actually very sweet."
I nodded, feeling warmth spread through my chest at the thought of Julian's protectiveness. "They've all been so careful about making sure I feel safe and prepared. It's... it's nothing like what I expected growing up."
